Ashley Eastham: We're Focused

Eastham, who was on the score-sheet for the second time this season, was humble after netting against former club, and is now looking to building on Dale’s successes this season.

“It’s always nice to stick one in with it being against my previous club, but I’m just focused on playing well and sticking in there until the end of the season and seeing what happens.

“We want to kick-on and actually make something of the season. We know Gillingham slipped up today [Saturday] and we’ve got them on Tuesday. The manager has said that it’s a waste of time winning today if
we don’t go and do it again, so we’re looking to do that for the fans, for ourselves and for the manager.”

The win over Blackpool puts Rochdale just four points outside the play-offs. Gillingham, who Dale face on Tuesday night, are currently the team in sixth place, making for a big night at Spotland.

“The manager doesn’t like to put pressure on us, but we prefer to put it on ourselves as players and really rally together in the changing rooms," said Eastham.

“We’re focused; we’re not getting carried away, but nobody’s booking their holidays just yet. And like I’ve said, it’s really all about focus, just one game at a time. We’re not looking towards Colchester at the end of the season or any other game, it’s all about Gillingham on Tuesday.”

With 12 wins and four draws in 21 league games at Spotland this season, Eastham says the players are in good spirits going into the match. He's hoping that the fans will be loud and proud.

“We always feel, especially at home, that if we stay in the game with a clean sheet then we’ve got the lads upfront who are going put it in the back of the net. The likes of Joe Bunney, [Nathaniel] Mendez-Laing, Donal [McDermott] – they’re all on fire at the moment, so if we can stick in games and do it right at the back then I feel like we’re going to beat anybody at home.

“When we’re at home and the fans get behind us we hear everything they say and sing, so it’s brilliant. As many fans as possible that can come down on Tuesday will be brilliant.”